Image via Complex Original
Sunday’s Saturday Night Live anniversary special was a fond look back at four decades of one of television's most important shows. During the special we were treated to speeches by some of SNL's legendary alumni including Chris Rock, Chevy Chase, and Tina Fey. Some of music's biggest names who have performed at 30 Rockefeller Center throughout the years also came through to bless the stage for the special occasion.
Miley Cyrus decided to chill out and cover a Paul Simon song, while Paul Simon capped off the night with a beautiful number backed by the house band. But the high point of the show for many occurred when Kanye West took the stage to perform a melody that included his early career hit "Jesus Walks," his new Paul McCartney-produed lullaby "Only One," and his newest single "Wolves." The performance, which included Sia and Vic Mensa, was, like Ye's other SNL performances, provocative and innovative.
Through SNL's 40-year history, rap performances, though few and far between, have helped set the bar for what a good performance should be. The show, which started in 1975, was one of the first to feature rap acts. We decided to take a quick look through the years to find what we think are the 10 best rap performances in SNL's storied history.
Chaz Kangas is a writer living in New York. Follow him at @Chazraps.
Mark Ronson f/ Mystikal "Feel Right"
Year: 2015
Saturday Night Live thrives off of the element of surprise. You never know when a surprise guest may appear to say a joke or drop a verse. When Mark Ronson brought out Mystikal for a performance of “Feel Right” earlier this year, it felt wonderfully nostalgic and unquestionably progressive at the same time. Mystikal’s energy was just as potent as it was 15 years ago, and the showmanship of all involved made it already one of this season’s highlights.
Cypress Hill "I Ain't Going Out Like That"
Year: 1993
Sen Dog of Cypress Hill visibly wanted nothing to do with DJ Muggs lighting up a joint on the air during Cypress Hill's second performance of the night, and for good reason. The stunt got all three members banned from Saturday Night Live forever. The show stayed true to its word, making no effort to reach out to the group in the 20-plus years since. While the group's members have said that they would have liked to return to the show, they also realize what that moment meant for their now-lifelong fans.
2Pac "California Love"
Year: 1996
The year of his untimely death, 2Pac gave an unforgettable musical performance on Saturday Night Live. While many mostly remember the man for the beef that consumed the final chapter of his career, clips like this shine a light on the vibrancy of his music. In addition to two great performances, the episode also delivered one of the most memorable hip-hop crossover moments when, at the end, Tom Arnold could be seen happily taking a photograph with Pac.
Beastie Boys “Three MCs and One DJ”
Year: 1998
A New York favorite themselves, the Beasties had performed on SNL a handful of times as well. While fans debate over which performance was their best, we have to give the edge to “3 MCs and 1 DJ” from the Jennifer Love Hewitt-hosted episode in 1998. Mixmaster Mike’s turntablism in between the Boys putting on a mic-rocking clinic is a shining example of hip-hop in its purest form.
Snoop Dogg "Lodi Dodi"
Year: 1994
When Snoop took the SNL stage, the LBC native could have performed any number of songs from his chart-topping debut. That he choose to perform his cover of Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's classic "La Di Da Di" on national TV speaks volumes for the amount of respect Uncle Snoop had for those who paved the way for him.
Drake "Started From the Bottom
Year: 2014
In the proud tradition of Hammer a quarter-century prior, Drake was both the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live early last year. While the camera-friendly MC more than held his own in the sketches, his red-light adorned “Started From the Bottom” performance remains one of the most emotive in the show’s history.
Funky 4 + 1 “That’s the Joint”
Year: 1981
SNL’s sixth season gave us one of the most important hip-hop moments in history as the Funky 4 + 1 performed the immortal “That’s the Joint” for the first-ever national network televised rap performance. To give you an idea of how long ago and ahead of its time this was, Melle Mel’s “The Message” was still a year away.
Dr. Dre f/ Eminem "Forgot About Dre"
Year: 1999
While Eminem has performed on Saturday Night Live several times, his best performance on the show is still his 1999 appearance with the good Doctor for “Forgot About Dre.” Em's presence is kinetic as he bounds around the stage, bustling with raw energy, as Dre, as cool as ever, effortlessly spits bars from one of '99s best-selling singles.
Kanye West "New Slaves"
Year: 2013
We don’t think even the most adamant Kanye Stan anticipated how impactful the debut of “New Slaves” was going to be. This wasn’t Kanye being cheeky or funny or posturing. This was a visceral indictment of black oppression in a capitalist society that was helped along by an unsettling collection of images projected onto a screen behind. Absolutely breathtaking, the performance acted as a strong reminder that Kanye can make an impact when he feels the need.
LL Cool J "Go Cut Creator Go"
Year: 1987
Exactly one year after Run DMC took the stage, LL Cool J and DJ Cut Creator brought more unfiltered hip-hop to SNL for one of the best performances of the show's 13th season. What stands out here is the stage’s old setup in which the crowd was visible during the guest's performance. This is the best documentation of a room of people hearing rap for the first time that you'll ever see. We don’t know why LL looks so upset at the very end, but this would be the last time Saturday Night Live would have a rap musical guest until 1990.
